How Does the AB Layout Tool Help?

• Saves Time: The tool does the hard work for you, like tracing and measuring, so you can spend less time on math and more time on creating great designs.
• Improves Accuracy: Hand calculations can lead to mistakes. This tool calculates everything automatically, so your designs are more precise.
• Works with Other Tools: You can easily move your work from the AB Layout Tool to other Allan Block design tools, making the entire process smoother.
• Fits All Projects: Whether you’re working on a small backyard wall or a large commercial project, the AB Layout Tool can handle it.

Why Should You Use It?

The AB Layout Tool is perfect for anyone designing retaining walls. It helps you stay organized, work faster, and avoid errors. Plus, because it works with other tools from Allan Block, your entire design process stays connected.

The AB Layout Tool is an indispensable resource for design professionals involved in retaining wall projects. Its ability to trace plans, calculate lengths, and manage station points, combined with seamless integration with other Allan Block tools, makes it a powerful asset in your design arsenal. By incorporating the AB Layout Tool into your workflow, you’ll not only improve the accuracy and efficiency of your designs but also ensure that your projects are built on a solid foundation from the very start. If you have any questions or want a tutorial, reach out to the AB Engineering Team at engineering@allanblock.com or call 800-899-5309 ext.3.

AB Fence is designed to utilize the advantages of dry-stacked masonry. The goal is to construct a beautiful sound barrier or privacy fence that brings value to your end user. To make installation easier, Allan Block provides instructions on creating “jigs”. Before you start building the fence, put these simple jigs together to make the job go much smoother. For full details see our AB Fence Installation Manual.

Using your approved construction designs along with a steel chain, our Pile Layout Jig will assist a surveyor to mark out the center of each pile and to develop precise duplicated spacing. To create this 2-part jig you need to determine your exact panel lengths to create the Pile Layout Spacer. On a flat surface, line up the number of panel blocks and measure the actual panel length nub to nub and add 0.5 in (13 mm).

Then, construct 2 Post Block Templates shown here that the Pile Layout Spacer fits into to create the full Pile Layout Jig. If different panel widths or the large Post Block is being used, see the AB Fence Tech Sheets.

Once the piles are dug and pored with concrete not set, use the layout jig to know where to install the vertical rebar in the proper locations.

Next is the post spacing jig, used to help keep the AB Fence Post Blocks square and aligned as the posts are positioned on the pile and as additional post blocks are being stacked. This spacer, shown to the right, slides into the end of the post blocks and keeps the blocks from being turned or twisted out of alignment and relative to each adjacent post.

During construction of the AB Fence, you will need to build bond beams that are used at the top and bottom of the panels. A bond beam is two courses of AB Fence Panel blocks with their cores filled with sand mix grout, and rebar placed between the courses and stirrups to reinforce the entire bond beam. There are two jigs needed for that.

The stirrup jig assists with the production of stirrups used in the bond beams. A simple jig can be constructed using a wood base, two wood dowels and a set peg or screw. A stirrup is typically formed using a 9 ga wire and wraps around the dowels to create an “S” shape, as shown to the left.

Then the funnel jig aids in placing the grout within the panel blocks during the construction of the bond beams – whether during construction or pre-made bond beams. This jig will help prevent the grout from reaching the face of the panels, in turn leaving a cleaner finished product.

If you have any further questions on jigs or installations, reach us on 800-899-5309 x 3.

Proper cap installation is a crucial aspect of completing an AB Retaining Wall or AB Fence. While caps are optional for retaining walls, they are typically added to achieve a polished finish, however caps are essential for AB fence to achieve its finished look.

For either system, Allan Block recommends that caps are installed using a construction grade masonry adhesive such as NP1 or a similar product. Gluing the caps down prevents caps from falling and severely injuring someone below the wall or fence. Installing the caps isn’t always as straightforward as applying adhesive and setting the block in place, sometimes cuts are required, particularly at corners and curves.

For inside and outside corners, cutting the caps is easy. The picture below shows the cut required for a 90-degree corner. Inside and outside curves take a little more thought. Following the steps seen on the right or checking out our videos will have you cutting caps for curves like a pro in no time.

Give us a call at 800-899-5309 x 3 or send an email to engineering@allanblock.com if you have any further questions about the proper installation of caps.